Sam Allardyce says his struggling West Ham side will not lie down against Chelsea but insists his players have to believe they are capable of getting a result if they are to upset the odds.
Jose Mourinho has never been beaten in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge and Allardyce accepts his side will not only have to be at their best, but Chelsea will have to have an off day, if they are to get a result.
The Hammers are 11.41 to pull off a shock victory, with Chelsea hot favourites at 1.19, but Allardyce says his players can take heart from the fact West Brom were heading for a win until conceding a late equaliser.
“We can’t go to Chelsea and lie down,” he said.
“We can’t go to Chelsea and think that we’re not going to get a result. When all said and done, West Bromwich Albion should have beaten Chelsea this season.
“In a one-off game, if you play to your best and Chelsea aren’t functioning at their best, then you can get to the end result like West Brom did. It can be achieved at any one time in any one game and we’ve got to believe that it can be achieved.”
West Ham’s chances could also be boosted by the news striker Andy Carroll is ready to start his first Premier League game since May after recovering from injury.
Elsewhere, Antonio Nocerino and Marco Borriello could also play after the Italy internationals penned loan deals at Upton Park, although the latter is believed to be lacking fitness and could take the bench at best.
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